Michael Meade Earns Eagle Scout Honors

On Friday, January 8th, I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony recognizing Michael Meade, who earned the Boy Scouts of America's highest honor.  Senator Wirch and I presented Michael with a plaque in commemoration of his admirable achievement, which was nearly three years in the making.

For his big community service project, one of many requirements necessary to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Michael worked with the American Legion Post in Silver Lake in setting up a flag repository.  Area residents were then encouraged to drop their worn, torn, and faded American flags off at the depository where Michael saw to it that each flag was properly retired.   In all, Michael devoted more than 225 hours to this project and collected over 2,400 flags.  At least 70 volunteers assisted him with his project, which was also intended to raise awareness throughout the community about the importance of flag etiquette, treatment and respect for this significant American symbol.

According to Michael, "the true importance of becoming an Eagle Scout lies not in the path taken to get there, but further down where the path is soon to lead...The Eagle Scout award is the foundation for a future built upon such standards, it engenders one's aspiration to greater things and to greater places, and it is a way to live the rest of one's life to one's greatest ability."

Rep. Samantha Kerkman pictured with (from left to right) Bob Meade, Senator Bob Wirch, and Eagle Scout Michael Meade.

Veterans Affairs Board holds Meeting in Union Grove

This was certainly a busy week in the new year as every committee on which I serve - Joint Audit, Ways and Means, and Judiciary and Ethics - convened for business.  The Committee on Judiciary and Ethics held an Executive Session in which I voted on bills relating to the battery of district attorneys and assistant district attorneys and establishing penalties for such acts (AB 423) and court fees in certain small claims actions (AB 524). 

The Committee on Ways and Means also held an Executive Session in which I voted on legislation pertaining to earned income tax credits for individuals without qualifying children (AB 484),  Tax Incremental District No. 6 in Sheboygan (AB 519), and a sales and use tax for parks, recreation and culture in the city of Milwaukee (AB 504).

Last, but not least, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee held a public hearing this week to discuss proposed audits of the Medical Assistance Program and the Wisconsin Technical College System, among other items on the agenda (please click on the link for an audio recording and to view the agenda).  I am pleased to note that the audit committee is scheduled to hold another public hearing on January 27th in which we will be discussing the results of the 2009 Wisconsin Shares audit.  I am hopeful that in the near future, we will also discuss my request for an audit of the Family Care program.

Spring Session Begins January 19th

The full Assembly is expected to reconvene for session during a floor period on Tuesday, January 19th.  Among the bills my colleagues and I will be voting on are the ban on text messaging while driving (AB 496 , of which I am a co-sponsor), master logger certification scholarship grants (AB 562), and changes in the regulations of boxing and mixed martial arts fighting contests (SB 290).  I'm disappointed that our majority leadership has yet to bring economic recovery legislation forward so that we can reinvigorate our business community and get unemployed folks back to work.  Hopefully, this will change in the final coming months of the 2009-2010 legislative session, which is scheduled to end in May.

State of the State Address Scheduled for January 26th

Since my next issue of Capitol Insight will not be distributed until the end of this month, I wanted to inform you of Governor Doyle's final State of the State address as he will not be seeking re-election this year.  The speech will be delivered on Tuesday, January 26th at 7:00pm, and will be broadcasted via Wisconsin Public Television.  I am hopeful that Governor Doyle will address our ongoing economic challenges and propose strong, meaningful measures that will help get our unemployed workers back onto payrolls again.